Shutter Speed, simply put, controls the speed at which the camera lens opens and closes. It works in conjunction with film speed (also known as ISO) and aperture (lens aperture size) to properly expose an image. By using the shutter speed priority setting on your camera, you can control motion and capture the moving subject effectively. Let’s look at the different ways to do this.

Freezing action

You’re on the Indy 500 watching your favorite racer approach the finish line, and you want to capture the car, in all its details, and the look on the driver’s face, just before he crosses the finish line! Capturing such a shot with the camera is an example of freeze action. Compositions showing frozen action allow us to study a fleeting moment at our own pace, long after the moment has passed.

To freeze the action with your camera, you need to set the shutter speed to be very fast. If your ISO is low, say 50 or 100, set the shutter speed to 1 / 500th of a second, 1 / 1000th of a second, or faster. Then let your camera recommend the aperture; it will most likely force your background to be out of focus with a large aperture. If your ISO is high, say 800, then you will be able to set your shutter speed to 1 / 500th of a second without losing as much detail in the foreground and background (that is, you will be able to use a smaller aperture to get the correct exposure). Shooting at such fast speeds allows you to get away with it without using a tripod, as any accidental camera shake won’t affect such a short exposure. So pick a sunny day and go for it!

Involving movement

The classic example of implicit motion is those ethereal shots of rapids or waterfalls where the water looks like silk as it flows over rocks, while the plants on either side are in sharp focus as the water passes. Another example is traffic at dusk while the buildings at the intersection are quiet and in sharp focus. The subject is blurry while the background is sharp; this is what movement implies.

The trick to capturing implicit motion is to use a slow shutter speed. Speeds of ½ second should be sufficient to capture waterfalls or rapids, but be careful to lower your ISO or shoot at night, and don’t forget your tripod.

Panorama

Her daughter is riding her tricycle in a circle around her. You point your lens at her and rotate at the same rate as she surrounds you. Break! This is an example of panoramic, where we create anxious and hurried moments by putting the moving subject in sharp focus while blurring the background. The best panoramic shots are captured when the subject is looking at you and the eyes are in focus.

To successfully capture a panoramic shot, keep these three rules in mind:

1) Make sure to move parallel to your subject.

2) Choose the correct shutter speed: between 1/60 of a second (for fast subjects), 1/30 of a second, or even 1/15 of a second (for a slow kid, say)

3) DO NOT use a tripod; must be able to move freely

Now you know the secrets to controlling motion in a movie. Get out there and try freezing motion, which involves panning and panning!